Lionel Messi scored twice and assisted once as Inter Miami secured a dominant 4-0 victory over Atlanta United, clinching home-field advantage in the playoffs.
FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (AP) — Lionel Messi had a goal in each half and added an assist to help Inter Miami clinch home-field advantage in the first round of the playoffs with a 4-0 victory over Atlanta United on Saturday night.
Messi found the net in the 39th minute when he took a pass from Baltasar Rodríguez and scored to put Inter Miami (18-7-8) up 1-0 at halftime.
Jordi Alba, who has announced he will retire at the end of the season, made it 2-0 seven minutes into the second half with his sixth goal. The 36-year-old defender has 11 goals and 27 assists in 64 appearances — all with Miami. The club honored Alba with a ceremony following his final regular-season home match.
Messi notched his 18th assist on Alba’s goal, tying him with Anders Dreyer of San Diego FC for the league lead.
Luis Suárez made it 3-0 in the 61st minute, scoring unassisted for his 10th goal to go with 10 assists.
Messi capped the scoring in the 81st minute with an assist from Alba — his 13th.